Bill Wilkinson

George Michael's philanthropy comes to light after his death Tales of George Michael's philanthropy come to light in the wake of the pop star's death.

At a time when everything is terrible, worth reading this on George Michael's charitable donations.

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On the fourth day of Christmas…

Four calling, threadbare sounding birds finally give notice (9)

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Thursday 4th December Tom Stoppard was born Tomáš Straüssler in Czechoslovakia. His family were forced to flee Jewish persecution when the Nazis invaded in 1939. They fled to Singapore where his father was killed and then to India and England. He arrived in England aged 8, speaking no English but would become one of the most brilliant playwrights in British Theatre history. He wrote more than 30 plays, many of them critically acclaimed. He won an Oscar for his screenplay of Shakespeare in Love and was a script doctor for major films too. He died at his home in Dorset last week, aged 88. What different skills must a playwright have over an author of novels?

Thursday 4th December Tomáš Straüssler was born in the shoe-making town of Zlín, Czechoslovakia where his father was a doctor in the shoe factory. His father’s employer helped the Jewish Straüssler family escape the Nazis in 1939 just before the invasion and they fled to Singapore. As the Japanese forces advanced on Singapore they were forced to flee again to India. Tomáš’ father stayed behind to help defend Singapore but was killed when his boat was bombed by the Japanese. In India Tomáš’ mother met and married an English major Kenneth Stoppard. Tomáš and his brother anglicised their names to Tom and Peter and they moved again to England. A lot had happened to Tom already and he was just eight years old. Despite not knowing any English on his arrival, Tom Stoppard would become one of the most brilliant playwrights in British Theatre history. He first worked as a journalist in Bristol, but it was his 1966 breakthrough play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead that announced him as a major playwright. He blended absurd comedy with deep philosophical questions. Over six decades, he wrote acclaimed works like Arcadia, Travesties, and Leopoldstadt (a moving exploration of Jewish identity inspired by his own rediscovered heritage). He also won an Oscar for co-writing the film Shakespeare in Love. His IMDB credits also show he was a ‘script doctor’ on many modern movies such as Revenge of the Sith and Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. He was knighted in 1997 but sadly died last week at his home in Dorset, aged 88. What different skills must a playwright have over an author of novels? How do you think Tom’s early childhood experiences will have affected his life? Have you ever been to the theatre to see a play? Where’s your nearest playhouse?

On TGT tomorrow, celebrate the life of Tom Stoppard. He lived an incredible life. They might not be familiar with his plays (though they should be), but he was script doctor on Last Crusade & Revenge of The Sith. The upheaval in his early life would have broken many.
bit.ly/TutorGroupThink

Also wonder whether this will be a campaign point for Reform in Wales?

Family forces me to watch Elf, again. Ferrell undoubtedly brilliant, but the age difference between Ferrell and Deschanel is distinctly, ick.

Apologies, as it was in reply to my skeet, I thought you were talking about Farage’s kids.

They do speak English. As do the children of Glasgow. Or will soon.

A tweet from ReformUK Nearly 1 in 3 schoolchildren in Glasgow do not speak English as their first language. This is not diversity. This is culture smashing. Reform UK will make this a big issue in our campaign. *

A reminder that two of Nigel’s children have a German mother and speak fluent German.

Good enough for his children, but not other people’s.

Are his children culture smashing or is there something different about his children and the children of Glasgow?

Thursday 4th December Tom Stoppard was born Tomáš Straüssler in Czechoslovakia. His family were forced to flee Jewish persecution when the Nazis invaded in 1939. They fled to Singapore where his father was killed and then to India and England. He arrived in England aged 8, speaking no English but would become one of the most brilliant playwrights in British Theatre history. He wrote more than 30 plays, many of them critically acclaimed. He won an Oscar for his screenplay of Shakespeare in Love and was a script doctor for major films too. He died at his home in Dorset last week, aged 88. What different skills must a playwright have over an author of novels?

Thursday 4th December Tomáš Straüssler was born in the shoe-making town of Zlín, Czechoslovakia where his father was a doctor in the shoe factory. His father’s employer helped the Jewish Straüssler family escape the Nazis in 1939 just before the invasion and they fled to Singapore. As the Japanese forces advanced on Singapore they were forced to flee again to India. Tomáš’ father stayed behind to help defend Singapore but was killed when his boat was bombed by the Japanese. In India Tomáš’ mother met and married an English major Kenneth Stoppard. Tomáš and his brother anglicised their names to Tom and Peter and they moved again to England. A lot had happened to Tom already and he was just eight years old. Despite not knowing any English on his arrival, Tom Stoppard would become one of the most brilliant playwrights in British Theatre history. He first worked as a journalist in Bristol, but it was his 1966 breakthrough play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead that announced him as a major playwright. He blended absurd comedy with deep philosophical questions. Over six decades, he wrote acclaimed works like Arcadia, Travesties, and Leopoldstadt (a moving exploration of Jewish identity inspired by his own rediscovered heritage). He also won an Oscar for co-writing the film Shakespeare in Love. His IMDB credits also show he was a ‘script doctor’ on many modern movies such as Revenge of the Sith and Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. He was knighted in 1997 but sadly died last week at his home in Dorset, aged 88. What different skills must a playwright have over an author of novels? How do you think Tom’s early childhood experiences will have affected his life? Have you ever been to the theatre to see a play? Where’s your nearest playhouse?

On TGT tomorrow, celebrate the life of Tom Stoppard. He lived an incredible life. They might not be familiar with his plays (though they should be), but he was script doctor on Last Crusade & Revenge of The Sith. The upheaval in his early life would have broken many.
bit.ly/TutorGroupThink

Far from my best work.

Counting French Hens given on third day caused vicious riots (5)

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Counting French Hens given on third day caused vicious riots (5)

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@physicsmrh.bsky.social - sorry it's late - but I think you'll like it.

Wednesday 3rd December This incredible picture was taken by Ignacio Fernández (Instagram) in October in Alfacar, Spain and shows Comet C/2025 A6, otherwise known as Comet Lemmon. Ignacio made this picture using a composite of long exposure images of the foreground and night sky. (Amazing HD image here) Comets are made of ice and rock and they have large elliptical orbits around the sun. Comet Lemmon has disappeared now and won't be seen again from Earth for over 1000 years. As comets approach the sun their ice melts and leave a visible “tail”. The tail is usually straight showing the path of the comet, however the sun’s output of charged particles has been quite variable recently (leading to strong aurora) and have been buffeting Comet Lemmon’s blue-hued tail around. What objects have you seen in the night sky? Should we create spaces in the UK without light pollution to make it easier to see the night sky?

Wednesday 3rd December This incredible picture was taken by Ignacio Fernández (Instagram) in October in Alfacar, Spain and shows Comet C/2025 A6, otherwise known as Comet Lemmon. (Amazing HD image here) As comets approach the sun their ice melts and leave a “tail”. Comet Lemmon’s tail has been buffeted by the sun’s recent variable solar output of charged particles has has increased aurora activity. What objects have you seen in the night sky?

For TGT tomorrow. Show your tutees this incredible picture of Comet Lemmon taken last month. Not only is it a spectacular picture and composition, but it's a visual history of the recent variable solar output that has also seen high aurora levels.
bit.ly/TutorGroupThink

Trusted love imparted gift on day two (6, 5)

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I’ll try. I’ve only got one more at the moment though.

Trusted love imparted gift on day two (6, 5)

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Great culture can save lives. Literally.

Amazing letter in today’s @thetimes.com about Tom Stoppard

Perfect gif response. 10/10.

Tuesday 2nd December Reggae singer Jimmy Cliff died last week at the age of 81. Born James Chambers in 1944 in rural Jamaica, he rose from modest beginnings to become a global superstar and one of the most famous reggae musicians of all time. He grew up in poverty, one of nine children and moved to Kingston aged 14, determined to pursue a music career from a young age. At this time he chose the stage name Jimmy Cliff to symbolise the heights he dreamed of reaching, and over time, he did exactly that. He was still just 14 when he recorded his first hit Hurricane Hattie in 1958. Jimmy Cliff's music fused ska, rocksteady and reggae and helped take the sound of Jamaica worldwide. He starred in the influential 1972 film The Harder They Come, whose soundtrack became iconic. Many of his biggest hits had positive messages such as Wonderful World, Beautiful People, and the uplifting anthem You Can Get It If You Really Want It. That song, in particular, has inspired millions to believe in themselves and never give up. Cliff said people would often come up to him and tell them how it had for example inspired them back to education. He died in Kingston, Jamaica following a short illness last week. His voice, energy, and message of hope continue to resonate with people around the world. Have you ever heard any music by Jimmy Cliff before? How does it make you feel? Why do you think he chose the stage name Jimmy Cliff? How much can artists such as Jimmy influence how the world views a small nation like Jamaica?

Tuesday 2nd December Reggae singer Jimmy Cliff died last week at the age of 81. He grew up in poverty in rural Jamaica and moved to Kingston aged 14 to pursue a music career. He recorded his first record that year in 1958. His music fused ska, rocksteady and reggae and helped take the sound of Jamaica worldwide. His biggest hits were all positive affirmation such as Wonderful World, Beautiful People, and the uplifting anthem You Can Get It If You Really Want It. Have you ever heard any music by Jimmy Cliff before? How does it make you feel?

Tuesday's TGT remembers Jimmy Cliff who died last week and is a great excuse to play some of his positive tunes with your tutor group tomorrow. Cliff said 1000s of people had to him they were inspired by You Can Get It If You Really Want It. Maybe your students will be too.
bit.ly/TutorGroupThink

That can’t be real.

Scottish football remains undefeated

Incredible. Absolutely incredible.

a man in a suit and tie stands in front of the word aha Alt: a man in a suit and tie stands in front of the word aha

You mean Aha, surely?

Home of Partridge witty repartee

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

Home of Partridge witty repartee (4, 4)

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Red Dwarf cameo aside.

Tuesday 2nd December Reggae singer Jimmy Cliff died last week at the age of 81. Born James Chambers in 1944 in rural Jamaica, he rose from modest beginnings to become a global superstar and one of the most famous reggae musicians of all time. He grew up in poverty, one of nine children and moved to Kingston aged 14, determined to pursue a music career from a young age. At this time he chose the stage name Jimmy Cliff to symbolise the heights he dreamed of reaching, and over time, he did exactly that. He was still just 14 when he recorded his first hit Hurricane Hattie in 1958. Jimmy Cliff's music fused ska, rocksteady and reggae and helped take the sound of Jamaica worldwide. He starred in the influential 1972 film The Harder They Come, whose soundtrack became iconic. Many of his biggest hits had positive messages such as Wonderful World, Beautiful People, and the uplifting anthem You Can Get It If You Really Want It. That song, in particular, has inspired millions to believe in themselves and never give up. Cliff said people would often come up to him and tell them how it had for example inspired them back to education. He died in Kingston, Jamaica following a short illness last week. His voice, energy, and message of hope continue to resonate with people around the world. Have you ever heard any music by Jimmy Cliff before? How does it make you feel? Why do you think he chose the stage name Jimmy Cliff? How much can artists such as Jimmy influence how the world views a small nation like Jamaica?

Tuesday 2nd December Reggae singer Jimmy Cliff died last week at the age of 81. He grew up in poverty in rural Jamaica and moved to Kingston aged 14 to pursue a music career. He recorded his first record that year in 1958. His music fused ska, rocksteady and reggae and helped take the sound of Jamaica worldwide. His biggest hits were all positive affirmation such as Wonderful World, Beautiful People, and the uplifting anthem You Can Get It If You Really Want It. Have you ever heard any music by Jimmy Cliff before? How does it make you feel?

Tuesday's TGT remembers Jimmy Cliff who died last week and is a great excuse to play some of his positive tunes with your tutor group tomorrow. Cliff said 1000s of people had to him they were inspired by You Can Get It If You Really Want It. Maybe your students will be too.
bit.ly/TutorGroupThink

Home of Partridge witty repartee

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

Home of Partridge witty repartee (4, 4)

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Not sure that would have properly conveyed their desire for a United Ireland, tbh.

Maybe use the sausage as a breakwater…